Table 1.

Major methods, characteristics and biomedical applications of Zn based ceramic biomaterials.

Category	Methods	Characteristics	Potential biomedical applications	Refs
ZnO	Hydrothermal Sol-gel Vapor–liquid–solid Physical vapor deposition Chemical vapor deposition Biosynthesis	Easy fabrication Antibacterial pH-responsive Large surface/volume ratio Wide band gap Efficient excitonic blue and near-UV emission Phototoxic effect Good biocompatibility	Orthopedic regeneration Drug and gene delivery Bioimaging Cancer therapy	[57] [58, 59] [60–63] [64]
ZnS	Hydrothermal/ solvothermal One pot synthesis Sol-gel Ultrasonic assisted Microwave assisted	Antibacterial Wide band gap Highly luminescent High transmittance in the visible region High thermal and photochemical stabilities Large surface/volume ratio Good biocompatibility	Drug delivery Bioimaging Cancer therapy	[65, 66] [67, 68] [69]
ZnSe	Hydrothermal/ solvothermal One pot synthesis Solid state reaction Ultrasonic assisted Microwave assisted Chemical vapor deposition	Wide band gap Characteristic emission profile in the UV-blue region High thermal and photochemical stabilities Good biocompatibility	Bioimaging	[70, 71].
Zn3(PO4)2	Hydrothermal Biomimetic Solid state reaction Chemical conversion coating	Good corrosion resistance Excellent biocompatibility	Orthopedic regeneration	[72, 73]
ZnAl2O4	Hydrothermal Sol-gel Ultrasonic assisted Microwave assisted	Wide band gap High thermal and chemical stability Low sintering temperature High quantum yields Excellent biocompatibility	Orthopedic regeneration Bioimaging	[74] [75]